mens' formal attire question

Not that I've ever had any real class, but I won't wear a tie with a regular collared shirt. I own two French cuff shirts and those are the only two shirts with which I'll wear a tie. I feel it really has a nice, subtle look to it. If I'm going to dress up, I might as well do it right, right...?

 

i believe that, like most things, it depends on the environment.

i understand from my friends in nyc, that in the city's banking industry, links at the office are pretty much reserved for managing directors and up. it would be completely out of place for a more junior associate to wear links to work.

in contrast, i've recently found that many of my attorney friends in LA will routinely wear links to the office, court, et cetera. And these are junior attorneys in their first few years in the bar.

i don't know if this difference is predicated by geography or industry, but these might be some interesting datapoints for you.


For outside of work, i.e. parties, weddings, baptisms, i think links are absolutely appropriate for all. it just shows you took the time to look decent for someone's event or activity.

 

..."out of place" might be just the reason for an aspiring Jr. person to wear them...nice, subtle way of showing intentions.....unless there is an unwritten rule.

 

In general, it is better to overdress than not.
Secondly, I cringe at the thought that in some work environments certain dress codes are reserved for management.

 

To a job interview, cufflinks are too much.

You should not wear cufflinks if you would not also wear a pocket square.

To a formal event - or even to work, cufflinks are OK. To dinner, to dancing, to a reception, they are fine.

But as I said, the rule of thumb is that if a pocket square would be too formal, cufflinks would be too. IMO of course. Then again I believe pocket squares should be worn more than they are.

 

That seems tacky to me too... "You can't wear this, it's too nice for your position here at the company!" Wtf...?!?

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a pocket square...?

 

Formal tissue paper........

 

A silk kerchief. Matching carnation stictly optional (unless da boss wears a pinky ring)!

 

http://images.google.com/images?client=opera&rls=en&q=pocket%20square&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

 

LOL,

Oh, okay, I know what those are... Never heard 'em referred to as a "square" though. Seems kinda odd when they usually poke out in more of a triangle shape.

 

Need a friggen origami book to fold those damn things...

 

I prefer French cuffs, and a pocket square. If your going to wear a suit, might as well do it right. I dont think its over dressed. A tux would be over dressed. I have a few French cuff print shirts that I wear with no jacket at all.

Anyone that went to David Knapps F1 watching party met a guy who was an f-chatter from out of town. He was wearing a very cool shirt and it had French cuffs.

 

I've never even worn one because I can't fathom how people expect you to fold them without wrinkling them and how people expect the damn things to stay in place in the pocket...!

Besides, no one would see mine - because it would be black, in the pocket of a black suit over a black shirt with a black tie and black cufflinks...

 

i'd love to see that

 

Supposed to have dinner on Wednesday; will take pictures. It's my main "formal" outfit. I was stoked when I found a pair of black cuff links earlier this year. Now I just need to find an all-black tie pin/clip/chain... No luck thus far...

 

anyone have any thoughts on formal hats?

i know in LA it would be an unnecessary bit of kit, but i think i might try sporting one anyway.

can a young man in his 20s pull it off?
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If you're going to do it, frickin' do it right.
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I've worn french cuffs with jeans.

They're not a big deal. Get the silk knots if you want to go more casual in look.

 

If you feel comfortable, go for it. If they make you self conscious, you might want to ease into wearing them by trying them out when image isn't quite so important.

I used to hear the same thing about double-breasted suits-- "they're too formal" or "they're not in style any more." I like how they look, so I wear them. In style or out of style, they're part of my style and that's all I care about.

That's the key-- come up with your own style, which fits you and which you enjoy and find comfortable. If french cuffs are part of that style, go for it!

 

I think cufflinks are appropriate any time a suit is worn...probably overdoing it to wear them with a blazer or sport coat, though. I wear a suit to work every day, and frequently wear French cuffs. Just don't wear tacky or novelty cufflinks.

Jack

 

Well, if'n ya take a square, and rotate it 45 degrees, fold three edges in to make the sides straight - you get a little peaky triangle like thing and sticks out of your pocket. Also, its common to get them mounted to a (square0 piece of card with just the pointy bit

Its better than pocket-snotrag or pocket-droolwiper

 

I used to wear a fedora. I didn't much care for what other people thought or whether or not I could "pull it off". I liked it so I wore it. Go for it...